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Violinist killed by man just out of psych hospital, inquest told

A paranoid schizophrenic stabbed an innocent violinist to death only days after being discharged from a psychiatric hospital.

Michael Kahan (39), was out shopping near his home in Crumpsall when he was stabbed twice in June 2008.

An inquest heard how paranoid Jonathan Mills, from Chadderton, launched the unprovoked attack because he felt he ‘needed to kill a Jewish person’. Mills had been released from Park House, North Manchester General Hospital, 10 days earlier.

His father Barry Mills, said more could have been done to help his son and prevent the tragic stabbing.

“In my opinion, Jonathan should never have been discharged,” said Mr Mills. “I had no idea he was going to do what he did. But they could have done a lot more for him.”

The inquest at Manchester Coroner’s Court heard how Mills (37) was sectioned in January 2008 after increasingly erratic behaviour. He had a history of mental illness and had been sectioned twice before.

Officials from the Pennine Care Mental Health Trust felt Jonathan was well enough to return home at the end of May. His condition appeared to have stabilised by medication. But his parents were very concerned their son wasn’t taking his drugs.

In the week after their son was discharged, his parents found him to be very agitated and withdrawn.

His mother, Patricia, said: “I could tell from the way he was acting he wasn’t taking his medication.

“It really went downhill in those seven days. He stayed in his bedroom a lot and only came down for meals. Sometimes he wouldn’t eat them as he thought I was poisoning him.”

Two social workers visited the family’s home and an appointment made for Mills to see a psychiatrist on June 3. Before he could receive help, he drove to Crumpsall on June 1 and stabbed Mr Kahan.

He was later sentenced to a life hospital order.

Mr Kahan’s wife, Eva, said she and her family felt no animosity towards the Mills, but had questions that needed answering.

Mrs Mills added: “We want something positive to come out of this. We don’t want the issues brushed under the carpet. I want this for my son and my family, and especially Mrs Kahan.”